Tag Archives: Birmingham Magazine

Our pal Carla Jean at Birmingham Magazine reminded us that the deadline to apply for an unpaid, part-time editorial internship in the spring (January-April) is Dec. 1. For more information, see our previous post.

Publisher Maury Wald laid off editor Cara Clark in March “due to the economic slump we’re continuing to struggle with.” The newspaper also laid off Lucy Merrill, features writer for 14 years.

On Monday, Laura McAlister began as the new editor of Over the Mountain Journal. McAlister, shown at left, formerly served as Web editor for the Birmingham Business Alliance and Birmingham Magazine.

Clark, shown at right, said by e-mail:

“As it was explained to me, (Over the Mountain Journal) has sustained revenue losses for many months now, and the publisher could no longer afford to pay my salary.

“With the newspaper industry suffering nationwide, it has been a concern, but our editorial staff (both of us) thought we had a strong enough niche in the community to keep things going. It was quite a surprise when we were told the situation.

“For me, it came at a time when I’d just returned from nearly a month-long embed with the troops in Afghanistan. I think it was time for a change, but a bit more preparation would have been helpful. Still, I hope to return to Afghanistan this summer. Meanwhile, I’m looking for work locally, as I’d just signed an apartment lease before the layoff.

“Being with the troops and experiencing life in Afghanistan was a long-time dream and life-changing experience. It taught me much about myself, including my ability to adapt to inhospitable circumstances in a war zone. I left at the end of December and returned near the end of January.”

Birmingham Magazine tells the stories of the people, places and events that make Birmingham unique.

The magazine offers an unpaid, part-time editorial internship each semester, offering college students the opportunity to build resumes and portfolios as they write front-of-book pieces and monthly departments, assist in developing online content and fact-check listings.

Hard work and talent are rewarded with great clips; the fall 2009 intern wrote a six-page feature story for the December 2009 issue.

Applicants must be available a minimum of 15 hours per week. Prior journalism experience is expected, whether with college publications or elsewhere. Applicants should also be comfortable with AP Style.

Birmingham Magazine tells the stories of the people, places and events that make Birmingham unique.

The magazine offers an unpaid, part-time editorial internship each semester, offering college students the opportunity to build resumes and portfolios as they write front-of-book pieces and monthly departments, assist in developing online content and fact-check listings.

Hard work and talent are rewarded with great clips; the fall 2009 intern wrote a six-page feature story for the December 2009 issue.

Applicants must be available a minimum of 15 hours per week. Prior journalism experience is expected, whether with college publications or elsewhere. Applicants should also be comfortable with AP Style.

We asked senior editor and founding partner Todd Keith if Thicket had folded. Keith responded, “I wouldn’t say that. We are in discussions with several groups as well as individuals about the magazine and looking at a number of possibilities.”

When pressed further about the missing issue, the two partners who left but are still listed on the site, the current state and future of the magazine, and which groups or individuals were in discussions with Thicket, Keith responded, “We should have a more clear picture of where Thicket is going in the first quarter of 2010 and feel free to check back in at that time.”

Julie Keith, Thicket’s editor-in-chief and co-owner, will serve as the new editor for Birmingham magazine. Before, she was executive editor of Birmingham-based Portico magazine and managing editor for the Better Homes and Gardens Crafts Group. Keith was a panelist at Media of Birmingham’s Freelancers Forum in September. Her husband Todd Keith is senior editor at Thicket.

Garrick Stone, Thicket’s advertising director and partner in the magazine, will serve as the new advertising director for Birmingham magazine. Before, he was sales director at Portico and a senior account executive at Birmingham-based Black and White.

Thicket launched in January 2008 as a bimonthly Alabama-focused publication with 10 issues to date. Birmingham magazine‘s current edition began in 1961 and publishes monthly through the Birmingham Business Alliance, which combined the Metropolitan Development Board and the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce.

O’Donnell, who was offered a post-merger position at the magazine but declined, told the News:

“I’ve had a great staff, freelance writers and photographers over the years. It’s been a great run. I wish the new organization the best. I think the combination of the chamber, Region 2020 and MDB will have a great impact on the area.”

No word as to if these positions will be filled. The departures represent a third of the current staff of 15 to 16 members.

Welcome

Welcome to Media of Birmingham, a news and information site about journalism, advertising, public relations, new media and marketing based in Birmingham, Ala. The site went online in 2006, and the group behind it was founded in 2003.